Cool Collaboration

As you’re reading this I’m probably waiting in line at H&M to scoop up their latest designer collaboration by Comme des Garçons. The intellectually cool collection for men and women, designed by Rei Kawakubo, hits stores today (Nov. 13) and is sure to sell out fast. On my must-have list are the adorable CdG-signature, polka-dot shirts and the perfect black trench.
– Alison Lawler-Dean, Fashion Market Editor.

My Current Obsession

Walking in through the delivery entrance, then past a service kitchen and down two flights of stairs to arrive at the Calvin Klein Secret Obsession fragrance launch certainly had me bewildered. It took me far more than a minute to register where I was. But the gated door and cavernous room finally revealed the secret location – a bank vault! And what a unique place it was! The below-ground vault was swathed in candlelight and decorated with delicate flowers and cut-crystal candelabras, creating a romantic and mysterious scene, which fit perfectly with the new scent. This latest fragrance from Calvin Klein is a fruity, floral take on the original oriental-based Obsession. It’s sexy and sophisticated and sure not to be kept secret from fragrance lovers for long.
- Alison Lawler-Dean, Fashion Market Editor

Secret Obsession Calvin Klein, $75 (50ml), department stores; drugstores, secretobsessioncalvinklein.com.

More than Makeup

If you’re on the hunt for a new mascara, lipstick, nail polish or eyeshadow, look no further than the “Go Pink” Revlon display at your nearest drugstore. For the month of October, Revlon will once again raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through sales of its top-selling products and a limited-edition blush that I believe creates a perfectly natural, rosy cheek.
Since 2005, Revlon Canada has been a National Advocate Sponsor of the CIBC Run for the Cure. This year’s run takes place on Sunday, Oct. 5 in more than 50 communities across Canada. For more information and to find a run near you, check out cbcf.org/revlon.
- Kyle Gordon, Assistant Beauty Editor

Revlon A Floral Affair Sheer Powder Blush, $18.00, drugstores.

Covet This

When I first heard that SJP was creating another perfume, I had no doubt that Covet Pure Bloom would be as fabulous as her previous scents. Its aroma is just as striking as its gold and amethyst-toned bottle (designed perfectly to display on your dresser). Similar to the original Covet perfume, Pure Bloom’s scent has undertones of musk and sandalwood. But it’s the tropical addition of coconut water and exotic flowers that sets this one apart. The result – a sweet, musky scent that’s not too heavy to wear during the day. This stunning fragrance will be getting a spot on my dressing table between Parker’s other glorious creations, as soon as it comes out this month!
- Fashion Intern, Alyse Nahmias

Covet Pure Bloom, from $69, drugstores.

Kernel Catcher

Stripping kernels off a hot cob of corn with a knife can be a dangerous activity - a little slip-up can mean a big cut. And traditional corn strippers can be cumbersome to use, and just as easy to nick your hands on. The OXO Corn Stripper is the new generation of kitchen gadgets, marrying both cool form and functionality. The ergonomic tool fits inside you palm, like a computer's mouse, and makes the task of removing corn nibblets much safer (and quicker). It even catches the kernels in a container with marked measurements that hold up to 1/2 cup.
-Tasia Rivero, Online Intern

Corn Stripper, $12, OXO, oxo.com.

For corn recipes and tips, check out our Market to Table column.
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The Secret to Happy Feet

Summer sandals can take a toll on our feet – especially until we’ve had a chance to break in that fabulous new pair of strappy gladiators! Instead of blistered and bandaged battle scars, choose cushiony comfort in the form of stick-anywhere invisible gel pads from Tana. With shapes designed for every shoe style, these reusable cushions come to the rescue of too-tight straps, sole slipping and painful heels. My fav is the just-launched, between-the-toes version that protects tender toes from thong sandals. Strap on your beloved pair and pound the pavement in pain-free style.
- Caitlan Moneta, Assistant Fashion Editor

In-Between-the-Toe Invisible Gel Cushion, $6, Tana Smiling Feet, tana.ca.

Cover Girl

You plan to escape to the Bahamas for a vacation and do nothing but spend your days relaxing on the beach. Your suitcase is packed with swimsuits and flip-flops, but you might be lacking another equally-important essential – the perfect beach cover-up. Created by Jessica Fenton and Alana Konopny, Laleeta beachwear specializes in exotic, cabana-inspired tunics made out of 100% Indian cotton (a super-light fabric, perfect for withstanding the hottest temps). Worn at night with a pair of heels, or dressed down with flats and a bikini for poolside lounging – these tunics will work both ways. I especially love that they come in a variety of deliciously vibrant colours and Indian-inspired patterns, making them the perfect match for an afternoon in the sun with a cool summer cocktail.
- Alyse Nahmias, Fashion Intern

Cotton tunic, $100, Laleeta, laleeta.com.

Extra-Capacity Cooking

The generous size of the T-Fal Non-Stick Jumbo Cooker can accommodate voluminous veggies, like fresh sorrel and spinach without squishing the delicate leaves. This one is high in both capacity and quality.
-Tasia Rivero,Online Intern

Non-Stick Jumbo Cooker with Lid T-Fal, $50, thebay.com.

Learn more about sorrel and browse through sorrel recipes in this week's Market To Table column.
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Breathable Bag

An eco-friendly – and attractive – option for storing fresh herbs (and salad greens) is to buy a cotton herb bag. It breathes, soaks up excess moisture and can be used over and over again.
-Tory Healy, Associate Food Editor

Organic cotton "salad saver" bag Grass Roots Store, $9, grassrootsstore.com.

Add some flavour to your meals. Check out this week's Market To Table column on all-star herb parsley.
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Sporty Scent

As a self-proclaimed gym buff, I log countless hours a week in the spin studio. Until recently, I found myself lugging around a rather cumbersome bottle of perfume in my filled-to-the-brim LeSportsac. Not anymore, thanks to this super slender bottle from Adidas that slips right into my bag. With four light scents to choose from (I’m partial to Floral Dream), you’ll smell crisp and clean whether on the tennis courts, golf greens or spinning your heart out at the gym (like me).
-Kyle Gordon, Assistant Beauty Editor

Adidas Emotions in Motion eau de toilette, in Floral Dream, $20, 50 ml, Wal-Mart, Shoppers Drug Mart.
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Silicone Valley

Ah, the colander. Essential but oh-so space consuming. For all your quick-rinse produce needs, choose this colander that collapses down for easy storage. And all the better that it’s dishwasher safe and comes in groovy colours.
- Tory Healy, Associate Food Editor

SleekStor Collapsible Silicone Scoop Colander by Chef’n, $23, chefn.com.

Petite Palette

To be honest, packing is not my forte. I have a tendency to take way too much and only use about half. So you can understand my excitement when Pop Beauty revealed its compact makeup kit with everything you need to look great this summer. With three cheek shades, nine eyeshadows, three eye pencils and a duo brush (for blending and lining), travelling just became a whole lot lighter. Bonus: The kit comes with application tips for two completely different looks: London Bright Lights and California Smouldering Glow.
- Kyle Gordon, Assistant Beauty Editor

Pop Beauty Tan Popper, $42, Sephora, sephora.com.

Making the Cut

Chives are super-easy to prepare but this tool makes even quicker work of them. Wash, trim ends, and then snip a few at once. It’s also great to use on green onions and herbs, too.
- Tory Healy, Associate Food Editor

RSVP International Multi-Blade Herb Scissors, $15, through Danica Imports, 888-632-6422.

Shaken, Not Stirred

Hands down, this is the best cocktail shaker there is – you’ll know as soon as you pick it up. Fit for the most discerning professional bartender, the robust Rösle Boston shaker pairs a brushed stainless steel beaker with a 16-ounce glass tumbler. The moulded ridge at its base prevents slippage, while precise fitting creates a firm seal to deliver a leak-proof shake. Don’t let its price rattle you – this well-designed and well-built piece of barware is guaranteed to last through years of entertaining. The tumbler also has measurements conveniently marked in metric and imperial units, so feel free to really let your inner mixologist loose.
- Jasmine Li, Online Editorial Assistant

Rösle Boston shaker, $72, at Williams-Sonoma, williams-sonoma.ca.

The Next Generation

In 1977 Benefit launched the iconic rose-tinted lip and cheek stain, Benetint. After 30 years of waiting, the much anticipated “little sis” has arrived. Sporting a new, unique liqui-gel formula and a handy mini brush, posietint is poppy-pink perfection that lasts for hours. Tip: Blend quickly; this stain dries in a flash.
- Kyle Gordon, Assistant Beauty Editor

Benefit posietint, $35, benefitcosmetics.com.

Manly, Yes

I’m not quite sure when it happened, but sometime in the ’90s, men started shaving more than just their face and neck. Somewhere along the line (likely in an upscale gym locker room rife with moisturizer-wearing metrosexuals), chests, backs, underarms and unmentionables got added to the list of areas seeing regular razor action. Luckily for those jumping on this new-found hairless bandwagon, Braun has a new all-in-one, wet shaver-slash-trimmer to make zeroing in on unwanted hair a no-brainer for the man in your life. Shave, trim with one of the three attachments, shave and trim at the same time, or use the “special comb attachment for very sensitive areas” (Ayaaahhh! Run for your lives!). Wet or dry, our money is on this being a hit, and not just downtown.
- Doug Wallace, Deputy Editor

Braun bodycruZer, $70, mass retailers and drugstores.

Cling On

A while back at the National Home Show, I stopped by a booth showing kitchen and bathroom accessories made by Griipa for Umbra. The suction cup hooks that are the basis of the collection were what impressed me the most (I can’t believe I didn’t know about them before!). They are basically a rubber suction that you press to the wall – each one can hold up to 15 pounds, so if you need to hold more weight just add as many hooks as necessary. Because there is no adhesive backing, they don’t leave marks and never lose their holding power. They will stick to any glossy, flat surface, making them great for hanging artwork without banging up your walls. And they last for pretty much forever.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

Cling single hook, $5, Umbra, umbra.com.

Mix Master

If you’re like me and enjoy starting your day with a fruit smoothie, you’re going to love this crafty dual-use blender – especially if you’re mixing for two. Besides the massive 80 oz container pictured here, this handy helper also comes with two 16 oz single-serving containers so you can mix two different flavours at the same time. And forget about downing your drink before leaving the house – just unscrew the travel-ready mug and be on your way.
- Laurie Jennings, Managing Editor

Hamilton Beach Dual Wave Versatile Blender, $80 (black), $90 (silver) at major retailers, hamiltonbeach.ca.